Taoism

Taoism, also known as Daoism, is a special way of thinking and living that began in China. It teaches people to live in harmony with the Tao, which means "the way" or "the path." This idea helps people find balance and peace in life. Taoism includes many practices like meditation, a type of exercise called qigong, and arranging spaces in a way that feels right, known as feng shui.

The main books that share Taoist ideas are the Tao Te Ching and the Zhuangzi. These books were written a long time ago and give guidance on how to live a simple, natural life. Taoism often talks about being kind, not wasting things, and staying humble.

Over time, Taoism has mixed with other Chinese beliefs and even with Buddhism. Today, Taoism is an important religion in parts of China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. It continues to inspire people all over the world to live gently and with respect for nature.

Terminology

The birthplaces of notable Chinese philosophers from the Hundred Schools of Thought in the Zhou dynasty. Philosophers of Taoism are marked by triangles in dark green.

"Tao" and "Dao" are two ways to write the same Chinese word: 道. "Tao" was commonly used in English until the late 20th century, while "Dao" is the newer, official way to write it in China and in most books today.

Taoism is a special way of thinking and living that comes from China. It is often called both a philosophy and a religion. Some people think of it as a way of understanding life, while others see it as a set of beliefs and practices with temples and special ceremonies. Both views help explain the rich traditions of Taoism.

History

Taoism is a philosophy and religion from China that focuses on living in harmony with the Tao, which means "the way." Early Taoism emphasized meditation and understanding the natural world. Important early texts include the Tao Te Ching and the Zhuangzi.

Laozi Riding an Ox by Zhang Lu (c. 1464–1538)

Over time, Taoism grew and developed into different groups and practices. During the Han dynasty, new forms of Taoism appeared, and later, organized Taoist groups formed. Important periods include the Three Kingdoms and Six Dynasties, when Taoist ideas mixed with other philosophies.

In more recent times, Taoism faced challenges but continues to be practiced today, both in China and around the world. Practices like tai chi and qigong have become popular outside of China.

Teachings

Main articles: Taoist philosophy and Five precepts (Taoism)

Tao

Main article: Tao

The beginning of the Tao Te Ching says, "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao." This means that the Tao is hard to describe because it is so deep and wide.

Tao (or Dao) can mean "way," "road," "path," or "method." It is often thought of as the natural way things happen in the world. People have described the Tao as a powerful force that creates and supports the universe. It is the way nature works and how living things grow and change.

The Tao has four main ideas: it is the source of everything, it cannot be fully described, it is everywhere, and it is the way the universe changes. Taoists believe the Tao is one true reality, and they see nature as sacred. The Tao is also inside each person as their true nature, which is good.

In nature, the Tao is the patterns we see in the world around us. It is the way things change, like the seasons or the flow of water. These changes are shown in symbols called hexagrams, which represent different forces like yin and yang.

De

Main article: De (Chinese)

De is the active side of the Tao. It is like the power or virtue that comes from living according to the Tao. De can mean good character or a special power that comes from following the Tao’s way. It is not about strict rules but about naturally doing what is right.

Ziran

Main article: Ziran

Ziran means "natural" or "just as it is." It is a key idea in Taoism. It means living in a way that fits with the Tao, being natural and creative. To live ziran, a person should let go of selfish desires and appreciate simple things. One way to practice this is through meditation, which helps clear the mind.

Wu wei

Wu wei is an important idea in Taoism. It means "non-action" or acting without forcing. It is about going with the flow instead of fighting against it. For example, water flows easily around rocks; it does not push against them. Taoists believe that when we work with the natural way of the universe, we can achieve our goals without struggle.

Zhuang Zhou in front of a waterfall. Taoism frequently natural downward flow of water is a commonly used analogy for naturalness.

Aspects of self

Taoists think of the self as part of a bigger whole, not separate. They believe our true nature is connected to the Tao. This true nature is linked to our heart-mind, which is our center for thoughts and feelings. When this center is calm and connected to the Tao, it is peaceful.

The Taoist body

Many Taoist practices look at the body in special ways, like thinking of it as having energy paths called meridians. They believe that energy, called qi, flows through the body and can be balanced through practices like meditation and special exercises.

Ethics

Main article: Three Treasures (Taoism)

Taoist ethics teach being natural, simple, and going with the flow. They believe that people are naturally good but can get lost by desires and social pressures. Returning to one’s natural self means learning to follow the Tao.

Some important virtues in Taoism are compassion, moderation, and humility. Taoism also includes ideas about karma and rebirth, where actions have consequences in future lives.

Soteriology and religious goals

Taoists have different goals, like becoming wise, living a long life, or even becoming an immortal. They believe that after death, the spirit can join the universe or live in a spiritual world. Some aim to become immortals who can appear in the world when needed.

Cosmology

Further information: Yin and yang, Wuxing (Chinese philosophy), and Qi

Taoist ideas about the universe see it as always changing, with energies like qi influencing everything. The universe starts from a simple beginning and becomes more complex. The main idea is the balance between yin and yang, which are opposite forces that need each other.

Theology and Taoist Deities

Main article: Taoist theology

Taoist belief about gods focuses on the Tao as the source of all. There are many deities in Taoism, seen as parts of the Tao. These include high beings like the Three Pure Ones and the Jade Emperor, who help manage the universe. There are also many other gods who help with specific things, like protection, health, or learning.

Taoist Deities

There is no fixed list of Taoist gods, as different groups honor different ones. However, some common ones include:

The Dao is the ultimate source of everything. The Three Pure Ones are seen as the highest expressions of the Dao. Below them is the Jade Emperor, who rules the cosmos. There are also important figures like the Three Great Emperor-Officials, who handle blessings, forgiveness, and relief from disasters.

Other deities help with specific needs, like healing, thunder, or education. Local gods also exist to protect places like villages or temples.

Despite these many gods, being one with the Tao is not about connecting with a single god but understanding the natural way of the universe.

Practices

Taoist practice includes self-cultivation, wu wei, and connecting with the patterns of the Tao. Taoists aim to bring the body back to its natural energy and original state. They see the body as a universe itself. Most Taoists agree that self-cultivation through various practices helps transform oneself and connect with deeper realities.

Communal rituals are important in Taoist traditions, along with methods of self-cultivation. These practices often focus on transforming the heart-mind and bodily energies, linking them to natural and universal forces.

Taoism teaches that humans are important but not more important than other aspects of the world. Some Taoists have unique views on gods and other religions.

According to Louis Komjathy, Taoist practice includes aesthetics, art, diet, ethics, health, longevity, meditation, ritual, seasonal attunement, and scripture study.

Mountains are special places for Taoist practice. They are seen as sacred and ideal for cultivation and monastic life, including "cloud wandering" (yunyou) in the mountains and living in mountain hermitages or grottoes.

Tao can also be seen as life energy in some Taoist beliefs.

The Nine Practices

One of the earliest sets of Taoist practices was the "nine practices" or "nine virtues" (jiǔxíng 九行_), taught in the Celestial Masters school. These were drawn from classical sources, mainly the Tao Te Ching, and are presented in the Laojun jinglu (Scriptural Statutes of Lord Lao; DZ 786).

The nine practices are:

Nonaction (wu wei 無為): Acting without forcing outcomes, responding to situations naturally so things follow the Dao.
Softness and weakness (róuruò 柔弱): Valuing flexibility, humility, and gentle strength, like water that overcomes hardness without resistance.
Guarding the feminine (shǒucí 守雌): Keeping a quiet, nurturing posture that preserves inner vitality and avoids aggression.
Being nameless (wúmíng 無名): Not focusing on labels, status, or reputation, returning to simplicity before concepts.
Clarity and stillness (qīngjìng 清靜): Cultivating quiet mind and energy so perception becomes clear and one can align with nature without agitation.
Being adept (zhūshàn 諸善): Developing skills in virtues and beneficial actions so conduct is helpful, timely, and appropriate.
Being desireless (wúyù 無欲): Reducing cravings that distort judgment, so action is guided by what is right rather than ego.
Knowing how to stop and be content (zhī zhǐzú 知止足): Recognizing when to stop and rest, so ambition does not become destructive.
Yielding and withdrawing (tuīràng 推讓): Stepping back and letting others take precedence when appropriate, reducing conflict and maintaining harmony.

Rituals

Taoist rituals include many activities, such as making offerings; reciting and reading scriptures; chanting; purification and repentance rites; submitting petitions to deities; observing ethical precepts; delivering lectures; and holding communal feasts. Formal Taoist rituals usually end with the phrase jiji ru lüling, used to send off prayers and ensure they are heard.

Ancient Chinese religion often included offerings and sacrifices to deities and ancestors. Early traditions of Celestial Master rejected animal sacrifice in favor of petition-based rites and offerings. Today, Taoist rituals include offerings like incense and food, while animal sacrifice is not part of orthodox Taoist practice.

On holidays like the Qingming Festival, street parades happen. These include firecrackers, burning hell money, flower-covered floats, traditional music, lion dances, dragon dances, puppets, gongfu, and palanquins carrying deity images. Participants are seen as possessed by gods and spirits.

Taoism has two main types of rituals: vernacular and classical. Vernacular rituals focus on the community, like healing, protection, and farming celebrations. Local people perform these, mixing Taoist beliefs with local traditions. Classical rituals are formal, performed by trained priests in temples. They follow ancient texts and include detailed ceremonies, offerings, and chants to connect with the Tao and the universe. Examples include the "Three Purities" ceremony and rituals for purification and meditation.

Ethical precepts

Following sets of ethical precepts is important in Taoism. By the Tang dynasty, Taoism developed a system of lay discipleship with Ten precepts (Taoism).

The Five precepts (Taoism) are the same as the Buddhist five precepts, which are to avoid: harming living beings, stealing, inappropriate sexual behavior, lying, and intoxicants like alcohol. The other five precepts are:

(6) I will stay harmonious with my ancestors and family and never ignore my kin; (7) When I see someone doing good, I will support them with joy; (8) When I see someone in trouble, I will help them with dignity; (9) When someone tries to harm me, I will not seek revenge; (10) As long as all beings have not reached the Dao, I will not expect to do so myself.

Taoist traditions also have larger sets of precepts for ordained priests or monastics.

Divination and magic

A key part of many Taoist traditions is divination. Methods include I Ching divination, Chinese astrological divination, feng shui (geomantic divination), and interpreting various omens.

Mediumship and exorcism are part of some Taoist traditions. These can include tongji mediumship and planchette writing or spirit writing.

Longevity practices

Taoist longevity methods are linked to ancient Chinese medicine. These methods, dating back to Tang dynasty figures like alchemist Sun Simiao (582–683) and Sima Chengzhen (647–735), aim for better health, longevity, or immortality. Key elements include moderation in habits, adapting to seasons with healing exercises (daoyin), and breathwork.

Physical practices like modern qigong and internal martial arts (neijia) such as Taijiquan, Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, and Liuhebafa are used by Taoists for health and longevity, as well as internal transformations. These methods are also practiced outside Taoism.

Another longevity method is "ingestion," focusing on what one consumes. Dietetics, influenced by Chinese medicine, is important, with many Taoist diet plans for different effects, such as ascetic, monastic, therapeutic, and alchemical diets using herbs and minerals. Common practices include the avoidance of grains (bigu). Sometimes vegetarianism and fasting are also adopted.

Some Taoists see the body as a spiritual place with thousands of shen, gods connected to consciousness, that can be reached through methods manipulating the yin and yang of the body and its qi. They also see the body as having three "cinnabar fields" representing higher reality. Meditation methods include "visualizing light" believed to be qi or life energy, channeled through the fields to form orbits.

The 36,000 shen manage the body through a system like the Chinese government. Death happens when these gods leave, but life can be extended through meditation, good deeds, and avoiding meat and wine.

Meditation

There are many Taoist meditation methods, sometimes called "stillness practice," jinggong, influenced by Buddhist methods.

Key forms of Taoist meditation include:

Apophatic or quietistic meditation, the main method of classical Taoism found in texts like the Zhuangzi, termed "fasting the heart-mind" (xinzhai). Also called "embracing the one" (baoyi), "guarding the one" (shouyi), "quiet sitting" (jingzuo), and "sitting forgetfulness" (zuowang). This meditation emphasizes emptiness and stillness, leading to the dissolution of the self. Sima Chengzhen's Zuowang lun outlines this method. It is linked to the virtue of wu wei (inaction).
Concentration meditation, focusing the mind on one theme, like the breath, a sound, a body part, a diagram, or a deity. A subset is "guarding the one," interpreted in different ways.
Observation (guan)—encourages openness to stimuli, leading to free-flowing awareness. It begins with physical sensations and may involve outside occurrences. Guan is associated with deep listening and energetic sensitivity. The term often refers to "inner observation" (neiguan), developed through Buddhist influence (see: Vipaśyanā). Neiguan involves introspection of the body and mind, including awareness of body parts and deities within.
Zhan zhuang ("post standing")—standing meditation in various postures.
Visualization (cunxiang) of mental images, including deities, cosmic patterns, saints, and lights in body organs. This method is linked to the Supreme Clarity school.

Alchemy

Texts

Some religious Taoist groups treat special books as sacred and important guides. However, the Tao Te Ching was not always seen this way. It was once thought of as "human wisdom" written by people for people. Over time, it and other key books became very important and were treated like holy scriptures. The Shangqing School focuses on studying these texts closely, believing that repeating certain passages can lead to living forever.

The two most important books in Taoism are the Tao Te Ching and the Zhuangzi.

Tao Te Ching

Main article: Tao Te Ching

The Tao Te Ching has always been a central book in Taoism. People use it in ceremonies, for personal growth, and to explore deep ideas. According to stories, it was written by Laozi. But we don’t really know when it was written or by whom. The oldest copies we have are from around the late 4th century BCE, and they differ from later versions.

The Tao Te Ching isn’t organized in a clear way. It’s a collection of ideas about many topics. The main ideas are about the Tao, how to understand it, and De, the inner strength that comes from the Tao. It also talks about wu wei, which means going with the flow and not forcing things.

Zhuangzi

The Zhuangzi is named after the thinker Zhuang Zhou. It’s a mix of stories, talks, and ideas from different people and times. The book helps people learn to live in a natural, easy way that matches the world around them. It uses fun stories and examples to show that sometimes what seems “useless” is actually very wise.

Daozang

The Daozang is the main collection of Taoist books and writings. The oldest full version we have is from the Ming dynasty in 1445. It has about 1,500 texts sorted into three groups: the Cavern of Truth, the Cavern of Mystery, and the Cavern of Spirit. Each group focuses on different parts of Taoist teachings.

Additional Taoist texts

Besides the Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi, there are many other important Taoist books:

Warring States / early Han texts

Liezi, a book about early Taoist ideas.
Neiye, a text about breathing and training the mind.
Wenzi, a book with teachings similar to the Tao Te Ching.

Han institutional Taoist texts

The Taipingjing, a book with ideas about peace and good government.
Liexian Zhuan, stories about people who lived forever.
Shenxian Zhuan, more stories about immortal people.

Six Dynasties–Tang medieval “scriptural Taoism” texts

Baopuzi, a book about living long and health practices.
Huangting jing, a book about meditation and inner visions.
Other important books include the Dadong zhenjing, Lingshu ziwen, Wupian zhenwen, Ling Bao Bi Fai, Zuowanglun, and Huahujing (化胡經, “Classic of Converting the Barbarians”).

Song–Yuan internal alchemy texts

Cantong qi, a book about inner change and growth.
Huashu, a book about turning inward and spiritual change.
Wuzhen pian, a book about waking up to truth.
Huangdi Yinfujing, a book with hidden teachings.

Song–Ming–Qing Quanzhen/monastic and popular Taoism texts

Qingjing Jing, a book about being clear and still.
The Lijiao shiwu lun, talks about Quanzhen teachings.
Zhonghe ji, a book about balance and harmony.
Taishang Ganying pian, a book about good and bad actions.
Taiyi Jinhua zongzhi, a book about secret golden flower teachings.
Longmen precept and teaching texts, rules for Taoist monks.

Influential Chinese classic texts

Taoists also use many important Chinese books that aren’t Taoist but share ideas with Taoism:

I Ching, a book about predicting the future.
Analects and Mengzi, books about Confucian ideas.
The Mozi, a book about a different kind of philosophy.
Guanzi, a book about leadership and self-growth.
The Han Feizi, a book about strict rules.
Lüshi Chunqiu, a book with many different ideas.
Huangdi Neijing, a book about health and the body.
Huainanzi, a book mixing different philosophies.
Guiguzi, a book about persuasion.
Heguanzi, a collection of different ideas.

Symbols and images

The yin and yang symbol and the bagua are important in Taoism. They show ideas about balance and opposites in the universe. Many Taoist groups use these symbols on flags, logos, and temple floors.

Temples often have roofs with dragons, tigers, and phoenixes made from colorful tiles. Flags in temples may have special drawings or words meant to help spirits or bring good luck. The Big Dipper is another important symbol, seen as a guide in the sky.

Taoists also use symbols like cranes, pine trees, and peaches to represent long life. Other symbols include gourds, caves, and animals from the Chinese zodiac. Priests wear special robes to show their role and school.

Society

Taoist communities can include many different kinds of people and groups. These include monks, hermits, teachers, families, and people who live simple lives. Some Taoist groups have leaders from noble families or wealthy backgrounds, while others come from ordinary people.

The number of Taoists is hard to know exactly. In China, many people practice Chinese folk religion, and some of them also follow Taoist traditions. In Taiwan, a large part of the population identifies with Taoism. Taoist ideas have also spread to other places, including Brazil, where people without Chinese heritage have created Taoist temples.

Throughout history, Taoism has influenced art and poetry in China. Many famous painters were inspired by Taoist thoughts and ideas.

Taoist writings often talk about not interfering too much with nature or others. This idea has sometimes been used by rulers to help govern with less force. Taoism has also shared ideas with other traditions, like Buddhism and Confucianism, and they have influenced each other over time.

Varieties

There are many different schools and branches of Taoism, each with its own focus and practices. In modern China, religious Taoism is mainly organized around two big traditions.

Zhengyi Taoism is the main non-monastic Taoist group. It began with the Celestial Masters tradition and is led by priests who live in society. They perform many rituals and services for their communities.

Quanzhen Taoism is the monastic form of Taoism. It was started in the 12th century and focuses on meditation, strict rules, and inner practices. It also combines ideas from Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

One way to look at Taoism is through five main systems: Magical Taoism, Divinational Taoism, Ceremonial Taoism, Internal-Alchemical Taoism, and Action and Karma Taoism.

Magical Taoism uses special practices and beliefs about natural powers and spirits. Divinational Taoism uses methods to understand the future and live well. Ceremonial Taoism focuses on rituals and honoring deities. Internal-Alchemical Taoism is about improving health and energy through special practices. Action and Karma Taoism emphasizes doing good and living in harmony with the Tao.